The House from a circa 1902 postcard
Two of three Rococo mirrors from Headfort, today in the collection of Bishop's Palace, Waterford City.
One of three Rococo mirrors from Headfort, today in the collection of Bishop's Palace, Waterford City.
Built / Designed For: Sir Thomas Taylour
House & Family History: Headfort is a Neoclassical house built in the mid-18th century of the local gray Ardbracan limestone for Sir Thomas Taylour, later 1st Earl of Bective. Shortly after the completion of the House Sir Thomas engaged Robert Adam to design a revised interior scheme for Headfort. The result was Adam's finest interior in Ireland, and his only significant surviving Irish work. Adam's Great Room, designed in 1775, is one of the most important classical rooms of Europe, with very fine paired Corinthian chimneypieces, ceilings that soar to 26 feet, and exceptionally fine plasterwork by John McCullough. The building is owned today by the non-profit Headfort Trust, which leases it to Headfort School, which has occupied the House since the 1940s. In 2004 Headfort House was listed by the World Monuments Fund on its List of the 100 Most Endangered Sites.
Architect: George Semple
Date: 1760sArchitect: Robert Adam
Date: 1772-75Country Life: LXXIX, 300, 326, 362 [Furniture], 1936 (Mar 21 & 28, 1936). CLIII, 847, 1973.
Title: Irish Georgian Society Newsletter
Author: NA
Year Published: NA
Reference: Spring 2008, pg. 3
Publisher: Dublin: Irish Georgian Society
ISBN: NA
Book Type: Magazine
Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - SOFTBACK
Author: Colvin, Howard
Year Published: 1995
Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
ISBN: 0300072074
Book Type: Softback
House Listed: Listed
Park Listed: Listed
Past Seat / Home of: Thomas Taylour, 1st Earl of Bective, 18th century.
Current Ownership Type: Preservation Organization
Primary Current Ownership Use: School
Ownership Details: Owned by the Headfort Trust, a charity that leases the House to Headfort School.
House Open to Public: Limited Access
Phone: 469-271-116
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.headfortschool.com
Historic Houses Member: No